WJR launch Horn of Africa famine appeal

A Jewish organisation has launched an online appeal in response to the growing food shortage in the Horn of Africa.

The United Nations warned earlier this week that at least nine million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somilia and Djibouti were facing starvation. The region has been hit by a drought which the UN said was one of the worst in 60 years.

World Jewish Relief (WJR) said they were hoping to raise funds to support aid programmes for those experiencing food shortages before the situation became a famine.

"International aid agencies are ringing alarm bells now to avert an even more severe catastrophe," said a WJR spokesman. "Action is needed to avoid famine on a massive scale."